Executive Committee Biographies

The members of the NASDCTEc Executive Committee are elected to serve one-year terms, from July 1 through June 30. Only State Directors are eligible to serve on the Executive Committee.

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  Ms. Marie Barry: President

  Ms. Marie Barry, is the State Director of the Office of Career and Technical Education at the New Jersey Department of Education and current NASDCTEc President. Her office is based out of Trenton.

  In this capacity, she administers all activities and plans related to the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act and serves as the State Director for Career Technical Education (CTE) for secondary and postsecondary CTE programs. She provides leadership on various secondary education initiatives including the pilot program for the implementation of personalized student learning plans and serves on the state leadership team for implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

  Ms. Barry coordinates with workforce development entities statewide to promote articulation between education, the business and labor communities and other stakeholders.

  During her tenure at the New Jersey Department of Education, Ms. Barry served as the manager of the Bureau of Career Preparation, coordinator of Career Technical student organizations and provided leadership for enhancing comprehensive guidance and counseling programs. She served as the liaison with the office of Special Education on issues related to promoting the successful transition of students with disabilities.

  In the past, she has also served on the executive committees of the National Association for Workforce Improvement and the New Jersey School Counselor Association. She currently represents the Commissioner of Education on the State Employment and Training Commission and the Governor’s School Board of Overseers.

  Prior to joining the New Jersey Department of Education, Ms. Barry worked as a career counselor and consultant where she provided services for youth and adults in the community. She designed and taught programs at Ocean County College to address the varied career development needs of students, the entering workforce, displaced workers and incumbent workers. She is a certified school counselor, a national board certified counselor and a certified rehabilitation counselor. Ms. Barry holds a Bachelors degree from Rutgers University and a Masters degree from Seton Hall University.

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  Mr. John Fischer, Vice President

  Mr. John Fischer is the Deputy Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Education and current NASDCTEc Vice President. His office is based out of Montpelier.

  Previously, Mr. Fischer held positions at Plymouth State University in Residential Life and Student Activities and in the New Hampshire community college system as Dean of Students, Vice President and Provost. Mr. Fischer was also a business owner in Vermont.

  Mr. Fischer joined the Vermont Department of Education in 2006 as a consultant and workgroup coordinator in Career Technical Education. Since 2010, he has served as the Director of the High School and Adult Division, leading school improvement, high school innovation and transformation, and also serving as the State Director for CTE.

  He has served as the Region I Representative on the Board of Directors of NASDCTEc from 2009 through 2012. Additionally, Mr. Fischer serves on the State Dual Enrollment Advisory Board, the Gear Up Board, Governor’s Workforce Development Council, NE Secondary Schools Consortium State Council, Vermont Center for Rural Students and the Vermont Entrepreneurship Executive Board.

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  Scott Stump: Secretary/Treasurer

  Scott Stump is Colorado’s Associate Provost for Career & Technical Education and current NASDCTEc Secretary/Treasurer.

  Prior to assuming this role in January of 2008, Scott served as the State Director of Agricultural Education and as the State FFA Advisor beginning in 2001 with CCCS, managing the student organization and State FFA Officer Team.

  In addition, Scott recently served as interim President of Northeastern Junior College while the institution conducted its presidential search process.

  Stump received his bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Purdue University in 1990 and taught at the secondary level at Manchester High School in North Central Indiana.

  Before coming to Colorado he also worked for the National FFA Organization managing the National Officer team and the National FFA Convention.

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  Dr. Patrick Ainsworth: Past President

  Dr. Patrick Ainsworth, is Assistant Superintendent of the Secondary, Postsecondary, and Career Education Division and current NASDCTEc Past President. His office is based out of Sacramento.

  He oversees secondary education, including middle and high school education, college preparation programs, postsecondary relations, adult education, career technical education, and workforce preparation programs.

  Dr. Ainsworth joined the California Department of Education (CDE) in November 1996. Prior to joining the CDE, Dr. Ainsworth worked for the Riverside County Office of Education, where he served as the Administrator of a countywide consortium consisting of 19 school districts devoted to educating and career training for disadvantaged and at-risk high school aged youth. He also served as Principal-Coordinator, Instructional Specialist, and Counselor while at the county office. Dr. Ainsworth began his career in education as a substitute teacher, transitioned into teaching of severely handicapped youth and adults, and served as a high school counselor for nine years at Lake Elsinore and La Sierra High Schools. He has held the position of Assistant Superintendent since 1996.